Will . Power .

I am reminded throughout the Scriptures about "the sacrifice of praise." 

When I discipline my will to offer my sacrifice of praise to Him, without exception I experience a "breakthrough" to worship...where a dynamic exchange takes place; Kingdom authority--His power working in me, for authentic Worship. 

This is why we see so much conflict around "worship" in the church today. Failure to worship prevents Believers from experiencing His empowering flow, from the throne of God to the people of God; as a consequence we underachieve and never fully appropriate "His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." 

Ephesians 3.20

Start this week in Worship to say "no" to any attitude that prevents you from turning your full focus on God, who loves us with an everlasting, undeserved love. Don't focus on the environment, the music, the clutter created by leadership, the squasma of life--just look up and offer your sacrifice of praise; watch what God will do in you, then through you.

This is one sacrifice where God's people get much more than we give.

Facts are stubborn!

Facts are stubborn. It's easy to simply dismiss them, but then we won't, can't, make progress as a nation.

It's time America do what we have done so well for so long; put the best of both political visions to work and create a synergy that empowers our "We the people" political will. The best kind of politics is not a "winner take all" proposition.  That becomes a recipe for tyranny, regardless of whose in charge.   

Step back, breath deeply, think critically and refuse the Kool Aid people on BOTH sides of the asile have prepared for this next election cycle; don't forget to pray for guidence.

Grace is amazing...

Rose from my slumber to discover redemption.
Not earned, not deserved, not asked for
Generous, vast resolve so effective; graciously given,
Freely received.

Perspective transformed, purpose revealed
Hope a reality, thirsty no more; graciously given,
Freely received.

Remembers no chapter, holds hostage no person
Not a place or thing, not a judgement, but a gift; graciously given,
Freely received.

New every morning, pure like the dew, refreshing, free.
Unbounded, complete, matter settled: not guilty.
Set free from my prison; graciouly given,
Freely received.

Now, freely give...

Post-racial: Not.

"If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon."

So much for "the first post-racial President in our history;" sounded hopeful; sort of like "hope and change" and "change we can believe in."  This Presidency certainly will not be described as post-racial by any perspective of history.  Not because it couldn't have been.

You see, the "we think it's cool" crowd doomed that possibility almost from that night in Chicago, when a sea of well-wishers gathered to celebrate this President's election.  That certainly was a moment in history.  But it didn't produce a post-racial result.  You see, from that "moment" almost anyone who dared question this President's intelligence, fitness for office, ability to lead or wisdom in approaching the challenges facing the nation--has been tarred as a racist puppet of the Aryan Nation.

As I reflect back, all the Presidents during my lifetime have been the subject of a national pastime geared toward laughing at their quirks, questioning their intelligence, reviling their politics and counting the days till the next election cycle.  In this modern era, virtually nothing has been out of bounds.  (Now, let me state for the record, I don't believe what we subject our Presidents to is good for the nation; that said, it's become the norm, not the exception.  It's mean, but it's not racist.)

So, when this President stepped up to become the focus of the electorates ire, it's decried as racism.  That is non-sense.  Are there racists in America?  Certainly.  Is some the what we hear about this President racist?  Certainly.  The fact is some of what we heard about George Bush was (and continues to be) hate speech.  We chose not to make idiocy a crime in this country.

This is America.  We need to be able to speak our minds, thoughtful or otherwise, because that's a treasured "right" here.  It's part of what makes us, us.  My concern is that we have forgotten who we are and what makes this nation great.  I pray for civil discourse in the 2014 election cycle.  But I expect it to be a spirited and opinionated discourse--as it should be.  "Ideas" do that to people.  People must feel safe stating what they think about this President and believe to be the best course for the nation...regardless of their agenda.  

We make judgments about the ideas placed before us by politicians and the people that support them.  The 2014 election cycle should be no different than those that came before it...but some would seek to prevent this process from playing out that way.

It's here that we see a tragic irony.  The very people who anointed this administration as "post-racial" are the ones who continually play the race card to intimidate citizens; attempting to prevent them from engaging in a critical examination of the record this administration, and Congress, has produced.  That is their end-game.   If one cannot win on the facts, then win any way one can. 

I am concerned that the election to determine the next Congress will be characterized by class warfare, race-baiting, vitriol and a "take no prisoners" commitment to win at any cost.  Now is the time to brace for just such an election.  Prepare now to be driven to a decision by the facts and your conviction about what you believe is the best course for our nation going forward.  How can one do that

• Critically consider your values and then ask, which set of ideas best represent those values. 
• Become thoroughly familiar with who the candidates really are...not who they, or their handlers, simply say they are.
• Go deeper than the talking points. Think through policy and how it effects the nation going forward.
• Engage big ideas. Read, study, pray and reflect on the politics of the 21st century, then measure the ideas of those asking for your vote against your own understanding and perspective, born from that "due diligence."
• Refuse to be an ideologue.
• Measure twice and cut once.
• Seek guidance from God; Seek His agenda. Be willing to embrace it.
• Exercise your right, privilege and responsibility to vote.

We missed an opportunity to get it right under the leadership of this administration, one has to wonder, what could have been?  The good news is, while we don't always get it right the first time, Americans keep working at it until we do.  No, this isn't the first post-racial Presidency, but it's taken us one step closer to that vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. 

Sweet dream.

Justice?

She may be blind, but she can be fickle.  

Reality.

Ending poverty IS rocket science.

Today.

Authors note... several have expressed concern for my state of mind after reading this poem.  It's wonderful to know I have people who care that much for me.  That said, this is a poem that celebrates the gifts we gain with age.  It's impossible to appreciate those gains, except we see them in a context of what we've lost.  Life, lived on the growing edge, is a two steps back three steps forward winning proposition.  

Today empty nest, too quiet.

Today weakness, a familiar face.
Today confidence, morphs to doubt.
Today strength remains, ravaged by age.

Today profile weathered with time, hair a pensive memory

Today independence is community.
Today knowledge is wisdom.
Today love is tenderness.
Today time is precious.

Today HELP stopped being a four-letter word.

60+40 = 2013

2013 is my 60 and 40 year--lived 60 years, married 40.  Having reached the mid-point of this transitional year, and having a day off after Independence Day, I became "reflective."

I don't consider myself to be a "senior citizen" (big surprise) but I'm guessing most younger folks are thinkin' that way about me (rightly!)...in much the same way I thought about "60 Something's" back in 1978.  While I don't "see" myself that way now, truth is, I can certainly see "that place" from here.

Life is so much shorter than I ever imagined it would be, and so much more than I ever dreamed it could be.  My cup isn't half-full, it overflows..

• In High School a guy named Mark Zier walked into my life and lovingly led me to a life-changing decesion to trust Christ; then he introduced me to a girl who eventually became my for-life companion.
• I have been blessed by that girl, Laura Cherrie, who became my wife (we were both 19), help-mate, mother of and for our children, my best friend and companion, for 40 years and counting!
• Neither of my parents were college grads and when the time came for me to enroll, my father died; there was no money for higher education.  God provided, first at Duke where I received my BA and then at Talbot Seminary where I earned an MDiv, without any student loans.
• God blessed us with two children.  Erin and Joseph have made me so proud because of the people they have become; honest, engaging, generous, interesting, good-hearted young adults; and two of my closest friends.
• Our kids selected two wonderful people to share their lives with, Matthew and Miranda.  They have enriched our lives in so many ways.
• We have two grandsons.  Braden and Kellen make us laugh, give us hope for their future, love us in a special way unique to our role in their lives and enjoy hanging-out with us.
• I have enjoyed two modestly successful careers centered around helping people; for 25 years as their Pastor, and for the last 12, I'm the "good neighbor" that takes the "scarey" out of risk as their State Farm Agent.
• Over the years I've witnessed lives change in long-term, very profound ways; I played a part in that process as a tool in the Master's Hand; what a privilege those moments of been.
• While I have experienced disappointment and (big surprise) betrayal in and from friends, my life has been enriched because of folks who've come alongside and embraced me (changed me) with their friendship.
• I have traveled with people through the most difficult intersections of life, prayed with them and waited; then watched God do what only He can do..."exceeding, abundantly beyond anything we could ask or imagine."
• Laura has loved me and patiently waited for me to become the man she needed and so richly deserves.
• The roles (my work) I have chosen to invest my energy in, have been challenging and rewarding.  Not once have I felt trapped doing what has been my life's work.  It's been too much fun!
• My girlfriend's dad, (future father-in-law) stepped into my life as the man I needed when, at age 17, my father died.  Gene continues to be a rock for me.
• Mentors invested time and tears in me; taught me, listened to me and believed in me. 
• Life has softened me.  Tenderness comes easy today.

I am blessed by a rich tapestry of memories, some good and not.  These confirm what most people eventually realize: there are regrets, there are a few special people and scores of wonderful events; these images remain clear to the smallest detail, I'm smiling.

There has been failure, good fortune and difficulty; pain, lost dreams, heartbreak and victory.  But through it all runs a story; my story, of God's grace transforming me, using me, teaching me and most amazingly, loving me with an everlasting, undeserved love.

Life, so short and so full.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

A city set on a hill...

December 1, 1862 Abraham Linclon reminded the nation: America is  "the last best hope of the earth."   Though often reviled around the world, I believe that President Lincoln's premise has been demonstrated time after time over the past 141 years.

May God contine to bless America; may He empower us to be people of character and good will; with generous hearts, brilliant minds and dynamic vision...for making tHis world a better place.  

A city set on a hill, cannot be hidden.

Grace wins.

Huffington Post..."WASHINGTON -- The Defense of Marriage Act, the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.

'The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. 'By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.'"


An urgent letter to my friends who identify themselves as followers of Jesus...

"Yesterday (June 26, 2013) The Supreme Court published its opinion on United States v. Windsor.  The sun came up this morning, as it always has.  A new day.  Here's the reality: nothing has changed.  As believers we are called to love the world as Christ loved the world, unconditionally, and be instruments of grace and healing.  

If history teaches us anything, it's that culture, people, tend to go the way they're going. The Court's opinion simply affirms what history so clearly demonstrates.  As a believer my mission has not changed one bit.  This ruling serves to underscore the urgency (NOT to fall back and counterattack) of what God has called me to do personally, within my spheres of influence, and corporately, through my community of faith; seek to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways that will move people closer to personal faith in Christ. This means I must do everything I can to make hard lives easier--regardless of the spiritual outcome. 

My church (the community of believers regardless of religious tradition) must understand that it is not about us; about making the world bend to what makes us comfortable and secure.  It's about the world.  We should expect that people who have not embraced the reality of God's love, will choose to live in ways that do not reflect that reality.  This fact should not repel us, it should compel us to resolve to love those not like us in the same way that God loves them--generously, redemptively, graciously. This is faithfulness to God's vision for His church, and His world."

Grace wins.